New York Jets owner Woody Johnson will be honored at the Tunnel to Towers Foundation's annual gala in December for his decade-long partnership with the organization. The foundation provides mortgage-free smart homes to catastrophically injured veterans and housing assistance to first responder families.
Johnson's involvement with Tunnel to Towers began in 2014 with a $1 million donation to its Building for America's Bravest program. Since then, his contributions, alongside those from his family and the Betty Wood Johnson Foundation, have supported the creation of six specially adapted smart homes for injured veterans.
"Tunnel to Towers' extraordinary work is a constant reminder of the importance of honoring the memory of the heroes who demonstrated courage and made the ultimate sacrifice for this country," Johnson stated. "Over the past two decades they have channeled grief into action and it's a privilege to be recognized by such an honorable group."
Tunnel to Towers Chairman and CEO Frank Siller highlighted Johnson's consistent support, noting that he has "never once asked for anything in return." Siller announced that Johnson will receive the "Follow the Footsteps Award" at the December gala, an honor named in remembrance of his brother, Stephen Siller, a firefighter who died on 9/11.
"My brother Stephen ran toward people who needed him without asking what it would cost him — Woody has been doing the same thing for twelve years," Siller said. "There's no one more deserving of the Follow the Footsteps Award, which we will be presenting to him at our gala in December."
In addition to his ownership of the New York Jets, Johnson previously served as the U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom during the first Trump administration. He is also a founding trustee of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum.
Last month, Johnson and Tunnel to Towers surprised Command Sergeant Major William "Bud" McElroy with a new mortgage-free smart home. The organization, founded in 2001, continues its mission to support those impacted by the September 11th attacks, including first responders, veterans, and their families.